Pembina Highway traffic jam can’t be avoided

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This article was published 11/12/2018 (2634 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Motorists looking for relief from a detour around a closure on Pembina Highway this weekend will find no help from city hall.

While the Pembina detour caused traffic to back up through Osborne Village last weekend, a civic spokesman said drivers will just have to make do.

Ken Allen, spokesman for the public works department, said civic officials considered, then ruled against, banning some on-street parking as a way to help traffic flow better

“One potential option we explored involved restricting parking on Osborne Street and Jubilee Avenue while the work is being undertaken,” Allen said. “However, that option is not being pursued as it would be disruptive for the local businesses who rely on parking along those routes.”

Pembina Highway will be closed to traffic in both directions this weekend between Jubilee Avenue and Stafford Street to accommodate demolition of the CN Rail bridge, which is part of the southwest corridor construction project.

The closure will begin at 8 pm on Friday and re-open 4 a.m. on Monday.

Media reports said city hall received at least 20 complaints from drivers who had found themselves stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic on Osborne and Jubilee on the weekend.

Allen said drivers will need to plan better if travelling in that area this weekend.

“Motorists should expect delays, allow additional travel time to get to their destinations, and use alternate routes such as Osborne Street, Waverley Street or Kenaston Boulevard,” Allen said in an email response to the Free Press, adding the best city hall can do is improve signage.

“The City will be improving signage for motorists along Pembina Highway to give more advanced warning of the road closure so that motorists can access alternate routes, including Waverley Street and Kenaston Boulevard in addition to Osborne Street, to get to their destinations,” Allen said. “Unfortunately there is never a good time to schedule such a significant road closure, so the work is scheduled during off-peak weekend hours when traffic volumes are reduced, to lessen the overall impact on traffic flow.”

Allen also suggested drivers use the Waze app to find the best alternate route around the detour.

City hall says roadway access for Winnipeg Transit and emergency vehicles will be maintained during the closure.

A shuttle service is being provided for pedestrians and cyclists, with pick-up and drop-off points located: north of the underpass, on the east side of Pembina opposite Harrow Street; and, south of the underpass, on the east side at the Jubilee Avenue yield onto Pembina.

The city says construction will occur round-the-clock during the closure.

aldo.santin@freepress.mb.ca